Published May 30, 2023

AutoTag: Vehicle Proximity Identifier using ESP8266

Build AutoTag, a Vehicle Proximity Identifier using ESP8266, Locate your vehicle effortlessly with a loud beep, making parking lots a breeze

BeginnerFull instructions provided140

AutoTag: Vehicle Proximity Identifier using ESP8266

Things used in this project

Hardware components

NodeMCU ESP8266 Breakout Board

Buzzer

Story

Have you ever wished for a reliable and convenient way to identify your vehicle's proximity? In this project, we will guide you through the process of building AutoTag, a Vehicle Proximity Identifier using the ESP8266 board. With AutoTag you can easily locate your vehicle with its distinct beeping pattern, making it an invaluable addition to any car owner's toolkit.

SETTING UP THE HARDWARE:

The first step is to connect the ESP8266 board with your phone's Wi-Fi network. By establishing a Wi-Fi connection, the AutoTag system can be function and alert you whenever you're near your vehicle. Additionally, connect the buzzer to an appropriate pin on ESP8266 board to emit the loud sound.

BUZZER PIN ESP8266 PIN

+ve PIN D1

-ve PIN GND

Writing The Code

We will use the Arduino IDE to write the code for the AutoTag system. The code begins by including the necessary libraries and defining the pin for the buzzer. The 'setup()' function initializes the serial communication, sets the pin mode, and connects the ESP8266 to the Wi-Fi network.

Next, we define the "startbeeping()" function that activates the buzzer, generating a distinct beep pattern. In this example, the buzzer beeps at the maximum frequency possible and follows an on-off pattern. You can customize the duration and frequency of the beeps to suit your preferences.

In the loop() function, we continuously monitor the Wi-Fi connection status. If the ESP8266 is connected to the network, the code checks if it was previously disconnected. If it was, the buzzer starts beeping, indicating a reconnection. If the ESP8266 loses connection, the code notes the disconnection and awaits a reconnection.

CONCLUSION:

AutoTag provides a convenient solution for vehicle identification and proximity detection. By combining the ESP8266 board and a high-frequency buzzer, you can easily locate your vehicle with a loud and attention-grabbing beep pattern. The project's simplicity, customizability, and effectiveness make it a must-have for car owners who want to streamline their vehicle identification process.

By following the step-by-step instructions provided in this article, you'll be able to build your own AutoTag system and enhance your car's security and convenience. We hope this project inspires you to explore further possibilities and customize the AutoTag system according to your unique needs.

Remember to share your experiences and modifications in the comments section below. Happy building with AutoTag, and stay tuned for more exciting projects on Hackster.io!

ESP8266 Code

#include <ESP8266WiFi.h>
#define BUZZER_PIN D1 // Pin connected to the buzzer

const char* ssid = "Your WiFi SSID";
const char* password = "Your WiFi Password";

bool wasConnected = false;

void startBeeping() {
  for (int i = 0; i < 5; i++) {
    tone(BUZZER_PIN, 2000); // Start beeping at 2 kHz
    delay(200); // Beep for 200 milliseconds
    noTone(BUZZER_PIN); // Stop beeping
    delay(200); // Delay between beeps
  }
}

void setup() {
  Serial.begin(115200);
  pinMode(BUZZER_PIN, OUTPUT);

  WiFi.begin(ssid, password);
  Serial.println("Connecting to WiFi");

  while (WiFi.status() != WL_CONNECTED) {
    delay(500);
    Serial.print(".");
  }

  Serial.println("");
  Serial.print("Connected to WiFi network with IP Address: ");
  Serial.println(WiFi.localIP());

  wasConnected = true; // Set initial connection status to true

  // Start beeping
  startBeeping();
}

void loop() {
  // Check Wi-Fi connection status
  if (WiFi.status() == WL_CONNECTED) {
    if (!wasConnected) {
      Serial.println("Reconnected to Wi-Fi");
      // Start beeping
      startBeeping();
      wasConnected = true; // Update connection status
    }
  } else {
    wasConnected = false; // Update connection status
    Serial.println("Lost Wi-Fi connection");
  }

  // Other tasks or code in the loop
}